Trial Attorney - YAD Lowell

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Lowell, MA

4d

About The Position

The Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking to fill a Trial Attorney position in its Lowell Office. YAD Trial Attorneys provide zealous legal representation on delinquency and youthful offender cases using the Positive Youth Development Approach, as well as using all the same criminal defense skills needed to practice in district and superior courts. They also provide post dispositional advocacy and support to DYS committed youth, as well as school-based advocacy. CPCS fights for equal justice and human dignity by supporting its clients in achieving their legal and life goals. CPCS zealously advocates for the rights of individuals and promotes just public policy to protect the rights of all.

Requirements

• Eligible to practice law in Massachusetts, either as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, as a law school graduate under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:03, or as the member of the bar of another jurisdiction eligible to engage in limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04.
• Access to an automobile in order to travel to courts, clients, and investigation locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation.
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.
• Experience with criminal, especially youth defense.
• Experience with a community-oriented defender practice.
• Ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent representation.
• Knowledge of adolescent development.
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice issues and experience working with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of positive youth development.
• Knowledge of state and local resources of use to juvenile defendants.
• Understanding of juvenile justice practice and policy issues.
• Experience with educational system advocacy.
• Experience with the child welfare system.
• Experience working with children and youth.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
• Lawyers with four or more years of experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide zealous legal representation on delinquency and youthful offender cases using the Positive Youth Development Approach, as well as using all the same criminal defense skills needed to practice in district and superior courts.
• Provide post-dispositional advocacy and support to DYS committed youth.
• Provide school-based advocacy.
• Work on projects related to improving legal representation and outcomes for court-involved children.
• Play a leadership role in working towards reducing the racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile legal system.
• May be assigned cases in other counties as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed